New Style ESA and UC

roobarb4411 wrote:

Hi I've been on a new style ESA and universal credit combination since migration in 2025 but it's been a bit of a nightmare keeping everyone updated alongside PIP, Council tax etc. As my New Style ESA is taken pound for pound from Universal Credit can I just cancel the New Style ESA and claim all UC? Will I lose transitional protection as it's a change of circumstance? Will it impact my LCWRA status? I know the advantage of New Style ESA is it isn't means tested but are there any other advantages or it or disadvantages of cancelling it? Thank you in advance

Sorry to "butt in" on your post roobarb4411 but I have the same question. I was migrated over to New Style ESA and UC in June 2025. I also receive an Occupational Pension which is classed as income and deducted from my claim pound for pound.

Due to the increase in benefit rates in April this year and also a small increase in my Occupational Pension in April , my UC has decreased from £90 to £41. My transitional protection also was reduced. By this logic I fully expect my UC to decrease to zero by April 2027. This causes me problems as it will mean that I will be worse off financially as I will no longer qualify for "passported" things like free dental care, the Warm Home Discount, Council Tax Reduction, optical voucher etc.

The main thing for me is losing my entitlement to free dental care. Due to medication and chemotherapy I now have a partial denture (which I got today) and in the future I will need all my teeth removed. I also have to be sedated at the dentist due to anxiety. This is going to cost me an absolute fortune which I cannot afford!

Bizarrely I came on here tonight to ask the same question as you! I am also in the LCWRA group.

Apologies again for intruding on your post but I thought it might make it easier for Admin rather than me posting the exact same question again.

Kind Regards

soulgal